Putting ‘Tanda Putera’ in its place

AUG 17 — Freedom of expression. That really is the right of all people. Be it the “Tanda Putera” movie producers or the public, the ones who will eventually watch the controversial film this November.

So, all Malaysians who feel that “Tanda Putera” is a) a political gimmick b) a potentially divisive movie funded by the government c) a skewed take on an event owned by all Malaysians should boycott the movie.

Just as the movie producers say that it is their right to make the movie, it is the right of every Malaysian to rebuff what they feel is politics masquerading as arts.

Yet, if there is anyone at fault, it must be those who financed the RM4.8 million movie, i.e. the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) and Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC).

One wonders if Finas and MDeC will finance other movies that have alternate takes on the May 13 riots.

After all, it is in the interest of freedom of expression and the right to make a movie.

But that is not likely to happen. Instead movies that promote the official narrative will be produced, ignoring historical facts and reality.

“Tanda Putera” is a work of fiction, not history. And as a work of fiction, it is a divisive take on our collective history.

See it if you must, but best dumped in the rubbish bin of history for its political fiction.

This entry was posted on Friday, 17 August 2012, 9:47 pm and is filed under Media, nation building. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0.

“Gandhi” was produced by Sir Richard Attenborouchs….with no Indians objecting.
“May 13th ’69” should be produced by a welknown producer like John Woo.
For 43 years dozens of books are written…and why the need to have this tragedy as a movie “Tanda Putera”…near 13th GE election?
The producer is unrecognized local.
The intentions creates doubts and Najib loves promotion , publicity and advertising half truths to win hearts and minds and votes unfairly.
Why the reminder with half truths told now in a movie?
For Lim Kit Siang to sue the producer….it is enough to tell Malaysians the said movie is out to tell votes not to support DAP and LKS.
WHY????….because DAP and LKS are trusted and wanted by Malaysians and a true power house in coming 13th GE..that is presuming Najib dares to declare it.
3 years stalling the GE …all Malaysians know why….and back to the movie…in circles….round and round going nowhere.

Of course the producers can only use public money to finance this project; so technically speaking they are NOT producers. Is the director making an ART or just third rate propaganda agent? You decide. Since P.Ramli, is there any wonder as to why the local film industry has literally disappeared coming up with mostly 3rd rate production. Simple, a mind that has been compressed, made to fear itself and taught to look for rent can’t think or imagine too much. The loss of competitive edge is so obvious. And the Old Fart is thinking he did a great service to a society he had usurped; of course supporters by those who had gained by simply helping him to destroy the very fabric of the Malaysian Society!

A film about the history of this country must contain facts.
All the facts and nothing but the facts.
If it contains half-truths or outright untruths, especially done with a slant against anyone in the opposition while hiding the true culprits of the cause of the whole unsavoury episode in our history, then it’s not fiction.
If it is about someone’s experience in the historical episode, someone who is not related to anyone who exists, then it is fiction.
Either way public funds cannot be used for such purposes.
If the federal government insists on forging ahead, then this action will be recorded as another strike against it and must be included on the day or reckoning.

Expecting whole truth from rouges and thieves is asking too much.
The twisting ..turning with half truths will go on to fool the masses…the less educated Malaysians.
The good news is that…today…the Malaysians are not easily fooled or afraid to be proud Malaysians.
The racists days are numbered…out-dated.

Historians could not agree on the identity of the person who made the famous “lompat” call that fateful day. However, there was a general consensus that it could have been made by someone who, then, went by the name crazyO’mamak. Unfortunately, based on well researched efforts, no such person was found to be in the proximity of the spinning umno – at that time. Hence, although there exists a general consensus, that believe just could not crystalise into a historical fact. But rumour has it that the call was actually made by a young chinese boy called beng hock (or ming hock or peng hock, something like that). On close analysis, old pictures taken decades ago of the spinning event do seem to bear faint images of a young chinese man. Curiously, he appeared to be peeing whilst holding a (now banned but very common at that time) plastic water bottle.